All InSample

In 2014, I was working at a thrift store in Birmingham, Alabama, while attending Highlands College. There was an older lady that would often come in, who needed a cane to walk. Each time she came in and checked out, I would help carry what she purchased to her car. We developed a friendship, and I would look forward to catching up on life each time she came in. 

One day early into our ‘store friendship,’ she asked if I was a student anywhere. I told her how I was called to ministry and my curriculum was developing me for full-time vocational ministry. Smiling, she told me that she was on the Board of Directors at a local Methodist Church and shared that she was a part of a committee that financially helped working students with tuition, books, and a fixed stipend while they work and go to school. She then told me to come in and interview to be a recipient of a grant. She expressed that I was just the type of person this particular program was designed for. 

I went in the following week, interviewed, and that same day, the committee offered to pay my full tuition and other expenses for the duration of my time at Highlands College. I graduated debt free and was able to save money to walk into my next season with a solid financial foundation. That’s just one of many stories in my life where time and time again, I’ve experienced seemingly random acts of incredible kindness. I’ve learned that these acts aren’t random but divinely set up by my Creator. 

Favor is excessive kindness or unfair partiality.  And in 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul writes, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. God’s first act of supernatural favor to us was salvation. The act of mercy He showed on the cross was undeserved and incredibly unfair to Jesus but extremely favorable to us. Because of Jesus and the Good News of grace for all people, we belong to God through salvation. 

Supernatural favor is a by-product of belonging to Christ. As we live an all in life for Jesus, we will experience kindness that we can’t explain. There are habits we can practice in our lives that will grant us awareness of God’s favor in our lives. His supernatural favor is all around us in big or little moments constantly; sometimes we just aren’t aware. There are three habits we can practice in our lives that will foster an atmosphere for rhythms of God’s supernatural favor to flourish. 

1. Integrity in life. 

The person you are at home, work, school, and in different relationship circles should all be the same. Be sincere. Keeping yourself undivided in your convictions is a vital part of experiencing God’s favor. 

2. Passion for a Kingdom purpose. 

Jesus and people should be our top priorities in life. We should be passionate about loving Jesus and telling people about Him. You do not have to be an ordained pastor to love people well. 

3. Discernment of opportunities. 

We have to be all in to be able to hear where the Lord is leading us in different opportunities. He may open a door for you to walk through so he can pour out His favor and grace on you for a particular assignment.